NFL Reportedly Concluded Illegal Hit on Cam Newton Was Missed in Week 8

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said he wants to talk to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about dangerous hits from defenders that are "taking the fun out of the game" after Sunday’s 30-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, per Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer.

On Monday, Ed Werder of ESPN cited a source who said Goodell "vowed league review of [the] Newton situation [and] also promised he would speak to the 2015 MVP directly about the issues."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Goodell and Newton did speak Tuesday but didn't provide details.

Newton helped the Panthers snap their four-game losing streak in the NFC Championship Game rematch, but he took a number of hard hits.

One play, in particular, appeared to bother him. Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell hit Newton low in the pocket, which forced the quarterback's knee to bend at an awkward angle underneath his body weight. 

It didn't draw a flag, and Person noted Newton has drawn just two unnecessary-roughness calls all season—and offsetting penalties negated both. On Tuesday, Werder reported the NFL's initial review concluded Campbell's illegal hit was indeed missed.

Newton pointed out in his postgame press conference that other quarterbacks would earn flags for some of the same hits he absorbs, per Person.

Werder also reported on Monday that Panthers head coach Ron Rivera called Goodell and "expressed his concerns" about the way his quarterback is officiated. Werder reported on Tuesday morning that Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman also spoke to the league office Monday.

At 6'5" and 245 pounds, Newton is a different physical specimen from most quarterbacks. His coach compared him to Shaquille O'Neal in the way he is officiated, per Jonathan Jones of Sports Illustrated:

According to Jones, 14 of the 23 roughing-the-passer penalties Newton has drawn since he started in 2011 came in his first two years, which means he has been the beneficiary of just nine since the beginning of the 2013 season.

Jones pointed to Carolina's season opener this year against the Denver Broncos, when "people saw Newton become a pinata as the officials and concussion spotters looked on quietly."

The physical wear of the hits has taken a toll on Newton on the field as well. He missed a game this year with a concussion and has just 191 rushing yards so far. He tallied at least 539 rushing yards in each of his first five seasons, including two years with more than 700.